Rafael Nadal is right back where he wants to be heading into the French Open.

He won his 34th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on Sunday when he beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 for a record ninth Italian Open title.

It was the 81st title of his career and the 51st at either Masters 1000 level, at the Grand Slams or ATP Finals.

It was Rafa’s first clay court final win over Djokovic since the 2014 French Open. It was the 54th meeting between the two rivals, and Djokovic now leads 28-26.

This was their eighth meeting in Rome, and their fifth in the final. Rafa now leads Djokovic 5-3 in Rome, and 3-2 in finals there.

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Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their ATP Masters tournament final tennis match at the Foro Italico in Rome on May 19, 2019. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Rafael Nadal (SPA) celebrates the victory in his Mens Final match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) during Internazionali BNL D’Italia Italian Open at the Foro Italico, Rome, Italy on 19 May 2019. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Rafael Nadal, right, of Spain embraces Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the end of their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Have you tried YouTube? The Tennis Channel showed the speeches, but that’s it. Therefore, I was surprised to see how much Rafa celebrated with the champagne. That was not usual and showed how happy and relieved he was.

It was a delight to watch Rafa playing today! And it was specially satisfying to know his mental strength is back. An outstanding performance!!! Congratulations to you, your team and your family! You deserve it all.